The Washington Post has put together an extraordinary data visualization that shows how the United States has generated its electricity so far this year. Using data from the Energy Information Administration, they have mapped every power source and categorized it by type and size.
Data visualized shows there is still a large reliance on specific energy types such as coal, hydro, and nuclear. For example, 28 states still rely on coal in 2015 to produce at least 25% of their electricity. Meanwhile, the chart on solar shows how far photovoltaics still have to go to make a significant impact in the overall energy mix.
The U.S. has 511 coal-fired power plants that generate 34% of the U.S. electricity. Coal produces the majority of energy in 14 states.
The U.S. has 1,740 natural gas power plants that generate 30% of the U.S. electricity. Natural gas is the most important source of power in 15 states.
The U.S. has 99 nuclear reactors that generate 20% of the U.S. electricity. 20 states get no power from nuclear at all.
The U.S. has 1,436 hydroelectric dams that generate 7% of the U.S. electricity. The Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State has 6,809 MW of installed capacity, making it the largest contributor in nameplate capacity in the country.
The U.S. has 843 wind power plants that generate 5% of the U.S. electricity. The best source for wind is in the Great Plains, where it blows very reliably. Around 2010, China leapfrogged the U.S. with parabolic wind power growth.
The U.S. has 722 solar power plants that generate 1% of the U.S. electricity. 39 states have no solar plants.
The U.S. has 1,098 oil-fired power plants that generate 1% of the U.S. electricity. America is shaking off its addiction to oil and no longer relies on it for generating electricity because of price swings. Hawaii is the only state to get the majority of its energy from oil.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-